Key Takeaways
Sneezing can be caused by allergens, URIs, foreign objects, tumors, and dental disease.
It can be accompanied by other symptoms, including nasal discharge and coughing.
Prevention involves vaccinations, home cleaning, eliminating irritants, and grooming.
Summary
Sneezing is a reflex that releases air meant to clear irritants or blockages in the nasal passages. It's normal when it's occasional, but concerning when it becomes too frequent.
Persistent or severe fits often indicate an underlying issue, one that can worsen and cause complications. In Dubai, cats are exposed to a significant number of factors that may contribute to this symptom, particularly due to the hot climate and dusty/sandy environment.
Why Do Cats Sneeze?
Allergies and Irritants
Many cats sneeze due to environmental allergies that irritate the nasal passages. This happens when they inhale dust mites, pollen, and sand.
Even indoor substances such as cleaning products, cigarette smoke, perfumes, air fresheners, and other inhaled irritants can trigger sneezing in cats.
Aside from the dusty environment, a main issue in Dubai is the heavy reliance on air conditioning because of the extremely hot climate. When these become dirty and are poorly maintained, they can harbor mold spores, dust, and bacteria, and spread them into the air.
Cats, with their delicate respiratory systems, can easily inhale these particles over time and develop sneezing.
Respiratory Infections
Upper respiratory infections are common causes of sneezing in cats, with pathogens including:
Feline Herpesvirus. FHV-1, or feline herpes, is a prevalent cause of sneezing in cats. This viral infection causes intense inflammation and excess mucus, irritating the nasal passages and triggering the sneeze.
Feline Calicivirus. Similar to feline herpesvirus, FCV can cause cat flu and present with sneezing as a symptom. Additionally, it can also result in painful oral ulcers on the tongue and gums.
Chlamydia felis. A common bacterium that is considered a major cause of conjunctivitis. It can also cause respiratory issues, with kittens being the ones most affected.
Bordetella bronchiseptica. While rare in cats compared to dogs, Bordetella bronchiseptica is a highly contagious bacterium. It spreads through direct contact with an infected animal's oral and nasal secretions.
Cryptococcus neoformans. An airborne fungus that causes the most common fungal infection in cats. It spreads when cats inhale the spores from contaminated soil or bird droppings.
These infections can lead to sneezing, nasal discharge, and loss of appetite, usually last 7-21 days, and are riskier in young and older cats. In severe cases, prompt veterinary care is important.
Foreign Material
Foreign objects that get stuck or lodged in the nasal passages can also cause sneezing in cats by triggering a defensive reflex. It happens when a foreign object, such as a blade of grass or speck of cat litter, gets lodged in the nasal passages, irritating the nerve endings inside.
This sends a message to the cat's brain, which leads to a powerful sneeze to expel the debris.
Nasal Tumors
While growths within the nasal tissue are rare, both benign and cancerous masses can cause frequent sneezing in cats. This is due to the chronic irritation from the physical obstruction that blocks airflow. In some cases, the tumors can result in noisy breathing and even bleeding.
Dental Disease
Surprisingly, dental disease can also be a cause. Because a cat's teeth sit close to the nasal sinuses, a deep tooth root infection can easily spread to the nasal passageways and cause chronic irritation and severe inflammation, triggering a sneeze.
Common examples of these include abscesses and gingivitis in cats.
Other Symptoms
In most cases, you shouldn't be too worried if your cat has an occasional sneeze or other mild symptoms.
You can simply monitor mild, self-limiting cases briefly. However, persistent sneezing may come with other signs that help point to a specific disease. Here are indicators that warrant a vet visit:
Nasal and Eye Discharge. Nasal mucus can indicate an infection or an allergic reaction, depending on its color, and watery eyes can accompany it. Clear signals allergies, yellow or green discharge indicates a viral or bacterial infection, while red discharge signals trauma or foreign bodies.
Coughing or Wheezing. Excessive or chronic coughing and wheezing are indicators of a respiratory issue.
Loss of Appetite and Weight Loss. Cats with congested nostrils may not eat as much as they normally do, even when given their favorite treats. Weight loss can be expected as a result.
Lethargy or Fatigue. A sick, sneezing cat may feel tired all the time and lose interest in playtime or cuddles.
Fever. Elevated body temperature can often indicate an infection as part of the immune system's response.
Breathing Problems. Difficulty breathing or unusual sounds can be signs of nasal congestion or something more serious affecting the lungs.
Diagnosis
It involves a physical exam, lab testing, advanced imaging, and specialized procedures that require anesthesia.
We start with a checkup of your cat's nose, throat, and eyes to identify symptoms and find the underlying cause. After the physical exam, we'll do a few lab tests.
Bloodwork allows us to check your cat's health and assess how their immune system is responding. Our team can perform a PCR test on samples from your cat's eyes or nose to accurately identify specific pathogens.
We can also use CT scans to provide 3D cross-sectional images of their sinuses and nasal passages. This allows us to reveal indicators of fungal infections, tumors, foreign bodies, and chronic rhinitis.
A rhinoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a tiny camera to examine your cat's nasal passages. For cats with chronic or severe sneezing, this method helps us directly see issues and obtain samples for a biopsy. Biopsies are often done to confirm nasal cancer.
How to Treat Sneezing in Cats?
The treatment options include medications, a nasal lavage, surgery, supportive care, and specific solutions based on the underlying cause.
Antibiotics, antiviral medications, and antifungal medications will be provided for specific respiratory infections. For allergies, we can prescribe antihistamines and corticosteroids based on the cat's symptoms. These will relieve the airways and alleviate nasal inflammation.
A nasal flush can be performed to clear out foreign bodies and debris. These can free up the airways and loosen nasal secretions caused by irritation. This method uses a sterile saline solution and can be used for diagnosis as well.
Similarly, rhinoscopy can be used for treatment to remove foreign objects from the cat's nasal passages.
For tumors, we will need to perform surgery. When we surgically remove the obstructions, we can restore natural airflow for your cat's nasal cavity.
If your cat's sneezing is caused by dental diseases, we will perform dental cleaning, scaling, and tooth extractions as needed.
Our team will provide IV fluids for rehydration and nutritional support to help them recover.
Preventive Tips
The first thing to do is to keep your cat's vaccinations current. Regular booster shots for FHV-1 and FCV are the best ways to prevent sneezing, since these two viruses are responsible for about 80-90% of all cases of cat flu.
Home cleaning is crucial. Focus on vacuuming carpets and washing bedding while reducing exposure to cleaning products and dust mites. Because of Dubai's climate, we recommend cleaning your AC filters every 2-4 weeks. Have the units professionally cleaned every 3-6 months.
Switch to a low-dust litter and eliminate strong scents around the house. Using an air purifier also improves air quality and significantly reduces airborne particles, helping cut down on irritants that cats may inhale.
Your cat's coat can collect allergens and irritants, especially if they're a long-haired breed. Brush their coats regularly and bathe as needed. Always remember to brush your cat's teeth at least 2-3 times a week.
"A sneeze might seem small, but in cats, it can possibly be the first whisper of something bigger."
- Dr. Nenad Misura
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does sneezing last?
Simple irritations can last a few minutes. However, if the cause is an upper respiratory infection, sneezing usually lasts 7-10 days with veterinary care. In severe cases, it can reach up to 21 days.
What type of litter should I use?
We recommend dust-free, unscented cat litter. These include paper-, wood-, and tofu-based litters. Another great option is the silica gel litter, which is specially formulated for cats with asthma and allergies.
Is sneezing more serious in kittens?
Yes, due to a kitten's underdeveloped immune system, they are much more susceptible to respiratory infections. Their nasal passages are also tiny, meaning that a small amount of mucus or inflammation can block breathing.
Can it resolve on its own?
In mild cases, sneezing can resolve on its own. However, persistent sneezing often points to an underlying medical condition that should be treated with veterinary care.
Are there home remedies for sneezing in cats?
One of the common ones is steam therapy. You can help your cat sit in a steamy bathroom for about 10-15 minutes to loosen up the airways. Using a humidifier is also helpful, especially if your AC is constantly on, as it adds moisture to dry air.
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